Sewing machines



Dec. 9, 1958 H. SCHUMANN El'AL 2,853,409

SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 9, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 1' Hf/PBEAT scHuM/wm,HfkMA/VN Zl/VK, HERBERT WENZ Dec. 9, 1958 H. SCHUMANN ET AL 2,363,409

SEWING MACHINES File d Feb. 9. 1955 v s Sheets-Sheet 2 MII/ENIUPS)HERBERT SCHUMA/VN,

HERMANN Zl/V/f, HERBfRT WE/VZ Dec. 9, 1958 H. SCHUMANN ETAL 2,863,409

SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 9; 1955 /NVE/VTOP\5,

.HEABERT SCHUMAA/A;

HRMANN Z/NK,

Dec. 9, 1958 H. SCHUMANN ET AL 2,863,409

SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 9, 1955 I e Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 76 [-76 I?INVENTOPS) HBPBf/P? SCHl/MAA/M. HERMANN Z/NK, HERBERT WE/VZ Dec. 9, 1958H. SCHUMANN ETAL 2,863,409

SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 9, 1955 ravraes, HERBERTSCHUMA/VAL HERMAN/V Z/IVK, HERBERT WENZ Dec. 9, 1958 H. SCHUMANN ETAL2,86

SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 9, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN TDRS 19098:???JOYUMAMMAEP- United States Patent SEWING MACHINES Herbert Schumann,HermannZink, and Herbert Wenz, Kaiserslautern, Germany, assignors to G.M.- Pfaff A.-G., Kaiserslautern, Germany, a corporation of GermanyApplicationFebruary 9, 1955, Serial No. 487,176

Claims priority, application Germany February 10, 1954 21 Claims. (Cl.112-158) This invention relates to sewing machines, and relates moreparticularly to sewing machines of the type useful forproducingornamental stitching in the nature of.embroidery and zig-zag stitches.

Desirable features for sewing machines of this type include means forsetting the machine, for preselected stitching steps toproduce thedesired pattern, and generally this is obtained in machines now inexistence.

Present sewing machines, however, are deficient therein that either theypermit the presetting for only a very limited amount of differentpatterns, or have so complicated a construction that the many partsrequire a material increase in the overall size of the. sewing machine.

It is therefore among the objects of the instant'inventionto provide asewing machine of this type with which.

patterns may be stitched without the exchange of any parts, and withoutany attachments, and wherein the patterns are variable within a widerangeof variations, without materially increasing the size of a normalsewing machine.

Broadly speaking, this;is accomplished by means of revolving controldiscs with a large number of selectors.

acting on leversto affect the stitching, affording a wide range ofvariations.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the inventionconsists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination ofvarious devices, elements and parts,. as set forth in the claims hereof,certain embodiments of the same being illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and described-in thespecification.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be best understoodfrom thefollowing description of exemplifications thereof, referencebeing bad to. the ac companying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment of the sewingmachine in accordance with the inven-,

tion;

Fig. 2 is a large scale fragmentary frontal perspective view showingsome of the parts of Fig. 1 with the cover of the sewing machineremoved;

Fig. 3 is a large scale rear perspective view of the sewing machineshown in Figs. 1 and '2, with-the cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a large scale extended perspective view of a control discdetail;

Fig. 5 is a perspective viewof a detail shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken-on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a lever shown partly in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a perspective-view showing a detail of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a frontal perspective viewof amodified sewing machine;

Fig. 10is a fragmentary largescale frontal extended;

Fig. 11 is a large scale fragmentary rearperspective view ofthemodification of Fig. 9; butwith the cover removed;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a control disc, taken on' line 12-12 ofFig. 10;

Figs. 13a, 13b, are fragmentaryelevational views of parts of the controldisc assembly shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in sec- Fig. 15a is asectional view takenon line 15a-15a of Fig. 15;

Fig. 16 is a frontal elevational view of a co-ntrol device;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view, partlyin section, taken on line 17-17 ofFig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an extended perspective view of transmission elements for thechange of the stitch position;

Fig. l9- is an extended perspective view of transmission elements forthe change of a width ofthe stitch;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken on line 2020of Fig. 11; and.

Fig. 21 is aside elevationalview, partly in section, of the embodimentof Fig. 9.

In carrying the invention into effect in the embodiments which have beenselected for illustration in the accompanying drawings and fordescription inthis speciiication, and referring now particularlyto Fig.1, there is provided a sewing machine which includes'an arm 1 and acover 2. To the arm 1 there is connected an ornamental stitchingmechanism which includes 'two control. discs 49 and 50, andtheamechanism is partly concealed by an upper plate 3 that is connectedto the cover 2, anld partly by a-lower. plate 4 which is connected tothe arm A bridge 5 (Fig. 3) isconnected' to the arm 1 by means of twoscrews 6 and 7, and carries a vertical bushing 8 in. which there isjournalled a vertical shaft 9. Near the lower end of the shaft 9 thereis secured abevel gear 111 that meshes with a bevel gear 11, and thelatter is driven from the power drive of the-sewing machine. To theupper end of the shaft 9 there is secured a worm 12. Two bearingbrackets 13 'and 14 are connected to the bridge 5, and a shaft 15 (Figs.3and 6) is journalled in the brackets 13 and 14.. Between the brackets13 and 14, the shaft 15 carries a freelyturnable worm gear 16 that isdriven .by the worm 12..

The worm gear 16has a key groove an enlarged bore section 18whichextends'beyond. the radius of the shaft 15 for a distance equal tothe depth of the groove 17. The shaftlS carries a key 19that ex- 17(Fig. 6), and

tends beyondthe circumferenceoftheshaft: The shaft 15 is shiftableaxially. In one of these positions the key 19 will be disposed in thebore 18s0-that'the worm gear 16 will idle and the shaft position, thekey will engage the groove 17 'whereby the worm gear 16 will take alongin its rotation the shaft 15. To the shaft 15 there isfurthermoreconnected 'a pinion 20 that carries a key 22 (Fig. 6) whichis connected to the pinion 20 'by means of a screw 21 (Fig. 3), andthe': key 22 protrudes inwardly into an elongated axial groove 23 of theshaft 15. When the shaft 15 is shifted axially support plate 24 thatsurrounds the shaft 15 near the front end thereof, and thus the supportplate 24 is tiltable about theaxis ofthe shaft 15; The support plate 24comprises Patented Dec. 9, 1958 15 be at standstill; in the other twoarms. namely an upper arm 26 and a lower arm 27 at an angle thereto. Aseparate support arm 28 is disposed parallel to the upper arm 26 and isconnected thereto, though in spaced relationship, by means of a screw 29and a bolt 30 (Figs. 2 and 3). A shaft 33 is journalled in the alignedbores 31 (Fig. 3) and 32 of the support arm 28 and the upper arm 26,respectively. 7

The lower arm 27 (Figs. 2 and 5) has near its lower end a recess 34, andhas near its upper end a threaded hole 36. Adjacent the lower arm 27,the plate 24 has a downward extension that has in its upper portion apin 37 and a screw 39, and has on the side which faces the lower arm 27an elongated slot 38 that is open towards the lower arm 27 and is formedarcuately about the center of the hole 36. The lower edge of the saidextension is arcuate about the center of the screw 39, and is providedon its front face with gradations 45.

To the rear of the said extension a control lever is pivoted to thescrew 39 and has a lower part that extends around the lower edge of theextension to cover the front of the lower portion of the said extensionand carries a mark 44 that cooperates with the gradations to determinethe position of tilting of the said control lever 40 relative to thesaid extension of the support plate 24. The control lever 40 has ahandle 42 for manually tilting the lever 40 about its pivot and isprovided with a set screw 43 for adjustably securing the lever 40 inposition relative to the support plate 24.

An elongated slot 35 is formed in the support plate 24 and extendsarcuately about the center of the bushing 25. The shaft of a screw 35a(Fig. 2) protrudes through the 'slot 35, and the screw 35a is threadedinto the bridge 5 (Fig. 3).

The cylindrical part of the bolt 30 (Fig. 3), that con nects the supportarm 28 with the upper arm 27, carries freely turnably a pinion 46 thatmeshes with the pinion 20 of the shaft 15. The pinion 46 also mesheswith a pinion 47 that is secured on the shaft 33 that is journalled inthe aligned bores 31 and 32 (Fig. 5).

The shaft 33 is movable with the entire support plate 24 arcuately aboutthe axis of the shaft 15, and the shaft 33 is in driven connection withthe shaft 15 by means of the meshing pinions 20, 46 and 47.

Each of the shafts 15 and 33 carries a control disc: the control disc 49is disposed on the shaft 15, and the control disc 50 on the shaft 33(Figs. 2 and 3).

Each of the control discs 49 and 50 comprises a disc body 51 (Fig. 4)that has a plurality of axial passages 52, and a central hub 66. Eachpassage 52 comprises a cylindrical bore and two grooves 53 and 54diametrically oppositely recessed therefrom. The depth of the grooves 53and 54 of each passage 52 extend substantially in a direction of a chordof the disc body 51, namely at right angle to a radius. A pin 55 ismounted in each passage 52 and is axially shiftable therein. Each pin 55has a head 56 that carries a front face 57, and on the front faces 57 ofthe pins 55 there are inscribed indicia 58 (Fig. 2). At the opposite endeach pin 55 (Fig. 4) is provided with a slot 59 in which there ispivoted by means of a pin 61 a flat resilient tongue 60. Each tongue hasa latch 62 that protrudes from the slot 59 beyond the circumference ofthe pin 56, and in the normal inactive position of the pin 55 isdisposed in the groove 53. Each pin 55 furthermore has a nose 63 that isdisposed oppositely relative to the latch 62 and is adapted to engagethe groove 54 in the active position of the pin 55. A helicalcompression spring 64 is disposed on each pin 55 and extends between thefront face of the disc body 51 and the head 56.

The hub 66 is mounted on the front end of a shaft, namely the hub 66 ofthe control disc 49 is mounted on the front end of the shaft 15, whilethe hub of the control disc 50 is mounted on the front end of the shaft33. The control disc 49 is thereby rotatable and shiftable withthroughout a small angle of rotation.

the shaft 15, while the control disc 50 is rotatable with the shaft 33.

A release disc 65 is provided that includes a base disposed adjacent therear face of the disc body 51, and a knurled flange 69 that surroundsthe circumference of the disc body 51. The release disc 65 covers therear face and the external circumference of the disc body 51, but isrotatable relative thereto in opposite directions, The base has acentral hole that surrounds the hub 66 of the disc body 51.

The base of the release disc 65 (Fig. 4), furthermore, has slots 68 thatare arcuate about the center of the release disc 65, and screws 67protrude through the slots 68 and are threaded into corresponding holesin the rear face of the disc body 51. The screws 67 serve to connect therelease disc 65 to the disc body 51 in such a manner that the former canbe turned relative to the latter as provided by the arcuate extension ofthe slots 68. A helical spring 70 surrounds the hub 66 and is connectedwith one end to a screw 71 that engages a threaded hole 72 of the hub66, and with the other end of pin 73 that extends rearwardly from thebase of the release disc 65. The spring 71) urges the release disc 65into one angular direction A, and the release disc 65 may be manuallyturned in the opposite direction B against the power of the spring 70 bygripping the knurled flange 69 and the inactive to the active positionby manually pushing against the front face 56 thereof, its latch 62 willabut from behind the rear face of the base at the wall that surroundsthe hole 74 of that pin 55. When release of the selected pins isdesired, the operator will grip the knurled flange 69 and turn it indirection B (which is clockwise in respect to Figs. 1 and 2). The wallssurrounding the holes 74 will thereby be moved out of engagement withthe latches 62, and the spring 64 will retract simultaneously all of thepreviously actuated pins 55, causing the tongues 62 to reenter thegroove 53. When the operator relinquishes his grip of the flange 69, thespring 70 will return the release disc 65 to its previous position, sothat a new selection may be made by pushing in a new batch of selectedpins 55. The distance between the latch 62 and the nose 63 of each pin55 is so arranged that the nose 63 will during pushing-in enter thegroove 54 before the latch 62 has left the groove 53 of the passage 52,thereby ensuring that in all axial posi tions of the pin 55 there willbe alignment between the latch 62 and the groove 53 even when the pin 55has been pushed-in all the way and the latch 62 no longer is positionedin the groove 53.

The positioning of selected pins 55 of the discs 49 and 50 in theactive, pushed-in, position will cause a change in the stitchingoperation and thereby in the stitched pattern, as explained below.

A two-armed lever 76 (Fig. 2) is pivoted to the supporting plate 24 bymeans of a screw 75 that is threaded into the hole 36 (Fig. 5). Thelever 76 (Figs. 2 and 7) has an upper arm 77 that includes a finger 78(Fig. 7), and a lower arm 79 which includes a gear segment 80 and arearwardly extending arresting pin 81. The gear segment 80 is in meshwith a gearing 82 (Fig. 2) that is formed on the circumference of a disc83 the function of which is to change the width of the stitchingpattern, and the disc 83 is mounted on a member 84 by means of a screw85. The member 84 serves for zig-zag stitch,

slidable in the. grooves 53. When a pin 55 is pressed rearwardly fromandis thus fixed, and extendsthrough a slot 88 ofarr indicator plate 89.A tension spring 90 extends between the movable pin 86 and the fixedpin-87.

The lower arm 27 partially surrounds with its recess 34 the member 84.The member 84 is associated with a lever 91 (Fig. 3) which is movablydisposed internally of the arm 1. A helical compression spring 92 bearswith one end on said lever 91 and abuts with its other end against abracket 94 of the arm 1. A'bolt 93 is disposed on the interior of thespring 92 and is threaded into the bracket 94 and protrudes at the upperend thereof and, together with a hexagonal disc 95, holds a .carrierelement 96 (Figs. 3 and 8) which is provided with two surfaces 97 and 98(Fig; 8).

A lever 99 (Fig. 2) is provided which under the bias of a spring (notshown) maybe arrested in various positions. The purpose of changing theposition of the lever 99 is to adjust the mechanism for changing thestitch position of the machine while the mechanism for the embroiderystitching is deactivated. The lever 99 carries. a pin 100 WhlChiSmovably disposed in a toggle lever 101, and can be retracted by saidtoggle lever 101 against the power of a spring 102, into the positionshown in Fig. 2. 1

Two internally threaded bushings 103 (Fig. 2) extend frontwardly fromthe arm 1, and the lower plate 4 (Fig. 1) that conceals the mechanism,is secured to the bushing 103 by means of screws 104. Another threadedbushing 1115 (Fig. 2) is mounted on the indicator plate 89 and carriesan indicator 106 (Fig. 1) for gradations 107marked on the plate 4.

The operation of the above described embodiment is as follows:

The operator will determine the specific pins 55 of the discs 49 and 50,that should be pushed inwardly in direction C. They are. selected inaccordance with indications from an instruction sheet, and areidentifiedby the indicia 58 (Fig. 2).

As previously explained, each of the selected pins will be. pushedinwardly (direction C) until the latch 62.. (Fig. 4) of the tongue 60has passed through the groove 53 and has moved resiliently outwardlybehind the rear face of the release disc 65. In this position, thespring 64 maintains the latch 62 in abutment with the rear face of thedisc 65.

The mechanism is started by pressing inwardly, in direction C (Fig. 3)the disc 49 and therewith the shaft 15. While pushing the disc 49, theoperator will also turn it about the axis of the shaft 15, to insert thekey 19 into the key groove 17 of the worm gear 16.

In Fig. 3, some of the. pins 55 are shown in inactive position and somein active position. The pins 55 of the disc 49 which have been pushedinto the active position control the mechanism for changing the width ofthe stitch. This is accomplished by the fact that each of the pins inthe active 1 position of the disc 49 are in the path of the finger 78,(Fig. 7) of the two-arm lever-76. The tilting movements of the finger 78about the axisof the screw '75, that is threaded into the hole 36, istransmitted by the gear segment 80 to the gearing 82 of the disc 83.

Where the sewing pattern includes parts to be sewn without over-stitch,that means without zig-zag stitch and thus has a simple straight stitch,then the lever 40 will remain in the zero position so that the marker 44points towards the zero mark of the gradation 45 (Fig. 2).

Where, however, an over-stitch will be used, it may be applied either asa smallest part of a pattern or continuously, as upon positioning of thelever 40 its side edge 41 (Fig. 5) limits the amplitude of the.rightward movement of thepin 81 (Fig. 2) within the arcuate slot 38.

86 movable with the dise The-tension spring 90,- which extends betweenthe:- fixed pin 87 and the movable. pin 86,1 urges toreturn to zeroposition the mechanism that controls .thechange. of the width of thestitch. This biasing bythe spring on one hand positions the finger 78:in the. path of* the active pins 55, and on the other hand maintains thepin 81in abutmentwith the lateraledges 4.1, when the embroidering stitchmechanism is reactivated, to

render it possible to adjust the width-of the. stitch man,

ually by moving by hand the lever 40;

The mechanism for controlling and changing the po-:. sition of thestitch of the machine is adjustedtby the.

pins 55 of the disc 50. The active. amongthe. pins 55, that means thosewhich have been pushedrearwardly, will engage either the surface 97 orthe surface 98 (Fig.

8) of the carrier 96, depending on the location radially. of the disc 50of the. specific pins 55; Tl-leengagementi between the active pins 55and the surfaces 97 and 98' brings about a tilting movement of thesupport plate 24 about the axis of the shaft 15.: Thetilting.mo.ve-.vment is transmitted through the arm 27 and the recess 34 to the zigzagmember 84.

Where a pattern does. not require any change in the stitch position, thetoggle lever 101 maybe tilted towards the lever 99 to release theengagementof this-1 lever, similarly to the sewing without embroiderystitching.

When it is desired to cancel the. control arrangement of the pins .55 onthe discs 49. and50wpreviously. set,

the operator will grip the knurled flange 69 t of the ,re. lease disc 65and turn it clockwisecindirection B out.

each of the discs 49 and 50. By this turning, which:

is against the power of the. spring .70, the-release, disc;

65 will be moved relative to thedisc..body 51through out an angle withinthe extension ofthe ho1es.74,, and of the slots 68, and the parts of therelease. disc 65 on;

which the noses 62 have rested will be. moved away,

thereby releasing the, noses 62'to return intothe, grooves; 53, and thesprings 64 willretract simultaneously all of,

groove 17 and is disposed in the enlarged bore-18:01 the worm gear 16,so that the worm gear.16.;mayrotate without participation by the shaft15.

An ornamental stitch mechanism with one control. disc is shown in Figs.9-20.

The ornamental stitch mechanism is .mounted 01131111 arm 108 (Fig. 9) ofthe sewing machine below the cover 109 thereof. The cover 109 isprovided with a lid 110} and with cut-outs for the shifting levers 231and 232 of the mechanism.

A support 111 (Figs. 10 and 11) is fastened to the-- arm 108 by means ofscrews that engage threaded holes 112 (Fig. 10) of the arm 108. parts ofthe mechanism are mounted on the support 111,;

with the exception of the driving shaft 113 of the arma- 108, of a cam114 that is mounted on the shaft 113 and;

which initiates the movement, as well as of. certain leversfor thetake-up of the control mechanism.

The transmission of the mechanism includes the cam 114 which drives aslide member 115 (Fig. 15). The

slide member 115 generally has a cylindrical outer surface, and has aquadrangular lower end'piece that has.

at its bottom a cam follower surface for thecam-114;

A latch 117 is pivoted to the end piece 1.16 by means, of a pivot pin119, and is biassed by a compression v spring 118.

The slide member 115 has on its external surfacetwo,

flatportions 120 and 121, the portion 121.being ofi-set from the portion120 and formed outwardly of and, A cylindrical, recess 122 higher thanthe portion 120. is provided at the top end of the slide member 115.

The slide member 115 is disposed on the interior of a All of theimportant:

sleeve 123, and the sleeve 123 is mounted on the sup port 111 (Fig. bymeans of a set screw 124. The sleeve 123 (Fig. has an horizontal cut-out125 and a vertical cut-out 126 opposite thereto. A pin 128 is disposedaxially movably on the interior of the sleeve 123, and is surrounded bya compression spring 130 that bears with its upper end from belowagainst an enlarged head of the pin 128, and bears with its lower endagainst the bottom (not shown) of the recess 122 that is formed in thetop surface of the slide member 115. The spring 130 urges the pin 128upwardly, but this upward movement is limited by a spring ring 129 thatis set in a groove 127 of the sleeve 123.

A lever 131 is pivoted to the support 111 by means of a screw thatprojects through a hole 132. The lever 131 has a nose 133 which, uponpivoting movement about the hole 132 of the lever 131, may protrudethrough the cut-out 125 into the interior of the sleeve 123. The lever131 is biassed by a tension spring 134 one end of which is connected tothe end 135 of the lever 131, and the other end of which is hooked ontoa pin 136 (Fig. 10) of the support 111.

A shifting member 137 (Figs. 10 and 15) is journalled in the support 111with a shaft portion 139 (Fig. 15).

The shifting member 137 is provided on the top with a handle 133, andthe upper portions of the member 137 including the handle 138 areexposed on the top of the support 111 (Fig. 10).

Below the handle 138, the member 137 has a cylindrical portion 140 belowwhich there is a cam portion that has cam surfaces 141, 142, and 143(Figs. 15 and 15a), and below said rectangular portion there is formedthe shaft portion 139. The cam surfaces 141 and 142 are so arranged thatthe distance of the surface 141 from the axis of rotation of the member137 is smaller than the distance between said axis and the cam surface142. Opposite the cam surface 142 the cylindrical surface of the part140 is continued downwardly to the shaft 139 and forms the curved camsurface 143. The lever 131 includes a cam 144 that, depending on theposition of rotation of the member 137, may engage one of the camsurfaces 141, 142 or 143.

A control disc 145 (Figs. 10 and 12) is mounted on the support 111. Thecontrol disc 145 comprises three sections, namely a front section 143(Fig. 12) a rear section and an intermediate section 149, and annulargrooves 146 and 147 are formed between the sections frontwardly andrearwardly, respectively, of the intermediate section 149. On theinterior of the hub of the disc 145 there is mounted by press-fit asleeve 151. The sleeve 151 is secured to a bushing 152 by means of aspring ring 153. The bushing 152 is disposed in a bore of a bracket ofthe support 111 (Fig. 12), and is rearwardly secured therein by means ofa set screw 154.

'A series of pins 155 are axially slidably mounted on the front section148 of the disc 145. Each pin 155 is provided with a front head 156(Figs. 12 and 14) and near the rear end with a spring ring 157 (Fig.14). The sections 149 and 150 (Fig. 12) have a series of bores which arealigned with the pins 155, and which are dimensioned sufficiently largeso as to permit the passage of the heads 156.

A spring holder 158 of narrow'thickness (Figs. 12 and 13a) is mounted onthe section 148 by means of screws 159 (Fig. 10) that pass through holes1611 (Fig. 13a). The disc 158 is provided with apertures 161 (Fig. 13a)for the pins 155, and each aperture 161 includes a recess 162 for ahelical spring 163. A lid 164 (Figs. 12 and 13b) is mounted near thefront of the disc 158 and has holes 165 through which there pass thescrews 159.

The lid 164 has apertures 166 that are aligned with the apertures 161 ofthe disc 158 and serve for the passage of the pins 155. Frontwardly ofthe lid 164, there is disposed a release disc 167 (Figs. 12 and 130)that has apertures 168 for the pins 155. Therelease disc 167 is mountedon a hollow shaft 170 by means of two oppositely disposed spring washers169. The hollow shaft 170 is axially disposed in the bushing 152, andhas on its interior a bore 171 that is closed at the front end by a knob172. In said bore 171 there is disposed a tension spring 173 one end ofwhich is connected to a fixed pin 174 at the rear end of the bore 171,and the other end of the spring 173 is connected to a pin 175 that isconnected to the bracket of the support 111. The pin 175 protrudes intothe bore 171 through an elongated slot 176 that is formed in the wall ofthe hollow shaft 170 and is parallel to the axis thereof. The spring 173acts to retract the hollow shaft 170 into the position shown in Fig. 12from which it can be moved manually frontwardly by exerting fingerpressure against the knob172.

The front section 143 of the disc 145 carries an annular toothed rack177 with which there cooperates the latch 117 (Fig. 15) of the slidemember 115. A roll 178 (Fig. 12) is disposed in a groove 179 of thesupport 111 below the sections 149 and 150 of the disc 145; the distanceof the groove 179 from the axis of rotation of the disc 145 decreases ina direction opposite to the direction of rotation.' The movement of theroll 178 in the direction of rotation of the disc 145 is limited by aspring tapered latch 180 which is slidable in a bore 181 of the support111 and which is under the pressure of a compression spring 182 that isheld by a pin 183.

An operating lever 184 (Figs. 10, 19, and 20), which forms part of themechanism for changing the width of the stitch, is pivoted to a shaft185 (Fig. 20). The shaft 185 is supported in the support 111 (Figs. 10and 20). The operating lever 184 includes two integral sections 186 and187 (Figs. 19 and 20). The section 186 has an inclined cam surface 188,and a straight cam surface 189. The section 186 protrudes into theannular groove 147 (Fig. 12) of the control disc 145. The section 187has a threaded hole 190 and two holes 191 and 192, equidistanttherefrom, and all three holes 190, 191 and 192 are disposed along thesame line which is at an angle relative to the direction of extension ofthe operating lever 184. The section 186 has two holes 191a and 192a(Fig. 20) in alignment with the holes 191 and 192 of the section 187.

The movement of the operating lever 184 towards the center of thecontrol disc 145 (Figs. 10 and 12) is limited by a set screw 194 (Fig.19) that is threaded in a nose 193 of the lever 184, and during thetilting movement of the operating lever 184 the set screw 194 will abutagainst a surface (not shown) of the support 111.

The threaded end of a bolt 195 engages the threaded hole 190 of thesection 187, and the bolt 195 carries a sleeve 196 (Figs. 10, 11, and20) which is provided with an external marker 196a (Fig. 11). A helicalcompression spring 197 is provided on the interior of the sleeve 196,and presses with one end against the rear face of the head of the bolt195, and with the opposite end against an internal surface of the sleeve196. The sleeve 196 is provided externally with knurling for manualgripping to turn the sleeve 196 about its axis, and to pull itrearwardly against the force of the spring 197.

The sleeve 196 carries ecccntrically a pin 198 which may be insertedselectively either in the aligned holes 191 and 191a or in the alignedholes 192 and 192a.

A connecting rod 199 (Figs. 19 and 20) is disposed in a groove 200 (Fig.11) of the support 111. The connecting rod 199 includes a slot 201through which there protrudes a guiding pin 282 that is mounted in thesupport 111. The connecting rod 199 furthermore has an end portion thatprojects into the space formed between the sections 186 (Fig. 20) and187 of the operating lever 184, and that end section is provided with anelongated slot 203 which engages the pin 198 of the sleeve 196 in eitherthe opposite positions of the pin 198.

'The opposite end section of the connecting rod 199 includes a camsurface 204 (Fig. 19) anda groove 205. A pin 206 (Figs. 11 and 19) of anarm 207 may engage the groove 205. The arm 207 forms part of acrankshaft 208 that is journalled in the support 111. The crank shaft 208carries on the end opposite to the arm 207 a gear segment 209 thatmeshes with a gear segment that forms part of a bell crank lever 210.The bell crank lever 210 is pivoted on a shaft 211 (Fig. that forms partof the sewing machine mechanism, and the bell crank lever 210 isconnected to a lever 212 which in a well known manner actuates themechanism for changing the width of the stitch in the sewing machine.

An operating lever 213 (Figs. 18 and forms part of the mechanism forchanging the stitch position, and is pivoted freely turnably on theshaft 185 that is supported in the-support 111. The operating lever 213includes a section 214 and protrudes into the annular groove 146 (Fig.12) of the control disc 145, andthe section 214 is parallel to thesection 186. The section 214 has an interior-cam surface 216. A pin 217-(Figs. 18 and 20) protrudes through the wall of the section 214. Theextent of tilting movement of the operating lever 213 in directiontowards the center of the control disc. 145 is limited in a similarmanner as described in connection with the operating lever 184, andcomprises a set screw 219 that is threaded in a nose 218 and is adaptedto abut against the support 111.

A connecting rod 220 is disposed in a recess 221 (Fig. 11) of thesupport 111 and is in driving connection with the operating lever 213,by means of a bore 222 (Fig; 18) that'engages the pin 217 of the lever213. The opposite end of the connecting rod 220" is bent. at right angleand forms a camsurface223 (Figs. 11 and 18); the rod'220 also has agroove 224 for engagement with a pin-225 of a bellcrank lever 226 (Figs.10, 1'1 and 18). The pin 225 (Fig 18) is disposed eccentrically relativetothe-upper arm-of thebell crank lever 226 and is secured by means ofa-screw 227. The. bell crank lever 226 is journalled'on the shaft 211:(Fig 10) adjacent the bell crank lever 210, and the lower arm of thebell crank lever 226 is interconnected to-the mechanism for the changeof the stitchingposition in the sewing machine (notshown in detail).

Below the connecting rods 199 and 220. springs. 228' (Fig. 19) and229(Fig. 18) are disposed 'in depressions that are formed 'in thegrooves 200 and221.(Fig. 11) of the support 111. A recess 230 for thedepression-for the spring 228 is shown in Fig. 11.

Two toggle levers 231' and 232I(Figs. 9-11) are pivoted on a shaft 233of the support 111 in such a manner that a nose. 234 (Fig. 11) of thetoggle lever 231ican engage the cam surface 204 of the. connecting rod199, and similarly a nose 235 of the toggle lever 232 can engage the camsurface 223 of the connecting rod 220.

Inorderto set certain .of thepins 155'(Fig. 12) simultaneously dependingon the requirements of the particular job, there may beprovidedinterchangeable gauges. Such a gauge may either be a simple plate gauge236*(Figs. 16 and 17) which includes a handle 237"that.:has .a-marking238. Alternately, the gauge may .bein form of two superposed-discs236and 240 (Figs; 16 and 17), which are spaced apart from eachother by spacers 239, and the plates 236 and240'may be interconnected byrivets; the secondembodiment may be without handle.

The plates 236 and 240 have holes.241 that are circular and have adiameter th'atis larger than that .of the spring ring 1 37 (Fig. 12)of.the.-pins .1 55. plates 236 and240. may both have aligned centralapertures 242 for the hollowshaftl'it), andhave aligned rec.- tangularopenings 243 for engagement by a corresponding pin;244. (Figs. 10 and..12) whichis mountedinthe section 148;: of 1 the control ,1 disc. 1 145,

rthe m r In order to, indicate the 9 active ,position of, the pins 155,there isprovidqd amark.

10 245- (Fig; 20) on the release.disc167, and anothermark 246 (Fig. 9)on the cover 109 of the sewing machine;

The member 84 which is connected to the lever 226,

has a slot A (Fig. 21) in the end portion opposite-tothe screw 85 (Fig.2). A bifurcated lever B carries a fol lower C which is disposed in theslot A. On the shaft 113 there is mounted a gear D which drives the gear11 that is mounted ona pin E. The rear surface of the gear 11 carries aneccentric G which is embraced by the tines F, F of the bifurcated leverB. The opposite end H of the lever B is connected to the tiltable memberM by means of a pivot J. The member M is pivoted to a bolt in the head Kof the sewing machine. The needle rod N, which is reciprocated by meansof the shaft 113, is guided in the member M. turn for each oscillationof the needle rod N. For the movement of the eccentric G, there is setin swinging motion the bifurcated rod B, about the pivot I; In the Zeroposition of the member 84, the slot A will be dis posed tangentially tothe pivot I so that the lever B canposition, and there will be impartedto the lever B by the eccentric Ga reciprocating movement, which istransferred to the member M and thereby to the needle N. Owing to thetriangular form of the eccentric G, the stroke of a one-half turn of theeccentric G will be divided into an effective movement component of thebifurcated lever B and an ineffective component. The eccentric G is sopositioned that the effective movement component will be applied to thelever B at the instant in which the needle rod N is within the. range ofits top position.

The operation of the modification shown in Figs. 92() is as follows.

When it is desired to change the operation of the machine from astraight stitch or zig-zag stitch to an ornamental stitch pattern, itwill be necessary first to bring the operating levers to Zero position.desired pattern can be read from instruction tables, and theseinstruction tables may also contain the complete instructions formanipulating the levers for setting the machine.

In accordance with these instructions, the operator will first turn themembers 137 (Figs. 9, 10, and 15) from the neutral position in which thehandle 138 points in the. direction towards the hand wheel of themachine, as.

shown in Fig. 9. From that neutral position, the handle 138 may bebrought into either a position directed towards the operator (who sitsin front of the sewing machine in such a manner that the hand wheel isto the right of the operator), or into another position in which thehandle 138 looks towards the head of the. machine (in a direction 180from the neutral position).

In theneutral position of the member 137, the cam 144 (Fig. 15) of thelever 131 abuts against the cam surface 143, and in that position thenose 133 protrudes through the cut-out 125 of the sleeve 123; the nose133 thus abuts against the flat portion of the slide member 115 on theinterior of the sleeve 123, thereby latching the member 115 againstvertical movement.

If the handle 138 is turned towards the operator (for 90 from theneutral position of Fig. 9), the cam surface 141 will engage the cam144, and the nose 133 will be retracted from the cut-out to the extentthat the slide member 115 may reciprocate vertically depending on thesize of the flat portion 121.

When the handle is turned towards the head of the machine (for from theneutral position of Fig. 9), the cam surface 142, which has the greatestdistance from the axis of rotation of the member 137, will engage thecam144, whereby the nose 133.wi1l be retracted in its entirety out ofthe cut-out 125, so that the. entire stroke The eccentric G will make aone-half The of the cam 114 (Fig. may be transmitted to the slide member115 (Fig.

In accordance with these different positions of the handle 138, theornamental stitching mechanism may be entirely immobilized (when thehandle is in the neutral position of Fig. 9), or only a part of thestroke of the cam 114 will be utilized (when the handle 138 is turnedtowards the operator), or lastly the entire stroke of the cam 114 willbe utilized (when the handle 138 is oppositely positioned from theneutral position of Fig. 9). The utilized part of the stroke of the cam11.4 is transmitted by the latch 117 to the toothed rack 177 (Fig. 12)of the control disc 145.

The operator will open the lid 110 of the cover 109 (Fig. 9), and willturn the hand wheel of the sewing machine until the marking 24-5 (Fig.10) of the control disc 145 is in alignment with the marking 246 (Fig.9) of the cover 109.

- The operator will next select from his instruction table the gauge(Figs. 16 and 17) that corresponds to the position to which the handle138 has been turned. He will mount the gauge with its aperture 242 (Fig.16) on the hollow shaft 170 (Fig. 12), engaging the pin 244 with therectangular opening 243, and will exert pressure until the gauge abutsagainst the control disc 145. By this movement, all of the pins 155except those which are aligned with any aperture 241 of the gauge willbe pressed inwardly until the spring rings 157 engage the release disc167; the thus actuated among the pins 155 will thereby project throughthe annular grooves 146 and 147. The remaining pins 155, namely thosealigned with apertures 241 of the gauge, will remain in their normalrest position shown in Fig. 12.

Where a gauge is used of the type that has two plates 236 and 240 anypin 155 that protrudes through an aperture 241 of the plate 236 willabut against the disc 240 and will be moved to project'across theannular groove 146 only.

Thereafter, the operator will remove the gauge, and Will close the lid110. Thereafter, again from instructions read off the instruction table,the operator will actuate the toggle lever 231 for changing the width ofthe stitch, and the toggle lever 232 for changing the positioning of thestitch. They are actuated by pressing down the part thereof that isdirected towards the hand wheel of the machine (as shown in Fig. 10 forthe toggle lever 232). The press-down of the toggle levers 231 and 232results in a release by the nose 234 of the cam surface 204 and,respectively, by the nose 235 of the cam surface 223. This release,enables the springs 228 and 229 to lift the connecting rods 199 and 220,respectively, for a distance suflicient so that there will beinterengagement between the groove 205 and the pin 206 and respectivelybetween the groove 224 and the pin 225.

The reciprocating movement of the two connecting rods 199 and 220 willbe transferred into a reciprocating tilting movement of the crank shaft208 and the bell crank I lever 226, respectively. The movement will betransmitted from the crank shaft 208 to the bell crank lever 210 andthereby to the lever 212 to control the change of the width of thestitch of the machine, while the lower arm of the bell crank lever 226will control the change of position of the stitch of the machine.

After the change of width of the stitch has been preset in accordancewith the instruction table, the operator, again in accordance with theinstructions, will change the magnitude of movement of the connectingrod 199, by shifting and turning of the sleeve 196 to locate the pin 190either in the aligned holes 191 and 191a or in the aligned holes 192 and192a. The position of the sleeve 196 is indicated by the mark 196a (Fig.11) thereof.

For the sewing of patterns with the ornamental stitch mechanism, it ispossible to set the machine with existing conventional levers for normalsewing in accordance with constant values, while the automatic controlof the change of the width of the stitch and of the change of' theposition of the stitch will be in a state of immobilization.

For cancelling the setting of the machine, the operator will align themarkings 245 and 246 and will press the hollow shaft 170 against thepower of the spring 173, until the flange of the knob 172 abuts againstthe face of the bushing 152. By this movement, the release disc 167 willbe moved towards the front of the sewing machine, away from the section148, and, owing to the abutment with the spring rings 157, retracts thepins from the active into the inactive position (Fig. 12). The hollowshaft 170, upon manual release, will return to the original position(Fig. 12) together with the release disc 167, under the power of thespring 173.

It will be apparent to'those skilled in the art that the novelprinciples of the invention disclosed herein in connection with specificexemplifications thereof will suggest various other modifications andapplications of the same.

It is accordingly desired that in construing the breadth of the appendedclaims they shall not be limited to the specific exemplifications of theinvention described herein. Having thus described the invention, what weclaim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In an ornamental stitching mechanism, for use in connection with azig-zag sewing machine having a power drive and means operable to changethe position of the stitch and to change the width of the stitch, incombinaion, two rotatable control discs, means operable for releasablycoupling said discs coupling with said power.

drive, said discs including a plurality of pins parallel of the axis ofdisc rotation and each pin being shiftable axially between an activeposition and an inactive position all of said pins in the activeposition extending between two parallel first planes, and all of saidpins in the inactive position extending between two other parallelplanes offset axially of said axis with reference to said first planes,and follower means movable in a direction at an angle to the axis ofsaid discs and having a member of said pins disposed in the paths ofsaid pins in the active position and operable to be engaged thereby formovement at an angle to the longitudinal direction of said pins, foractuating said changing means of the stitching position and of thestitching width.

2. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 1, some of said pins beingarranged on said discs along circles concentric of the axis of rotation,and some of said pins being arranged along curves delimiting the shapeof a cam.

3. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 1, said pins being spring biassedin the active as well as the inactive positions.

4. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 1, one of said control discsrotating at one speed and the pins thereof engaging said follower meansthereof for actuating said changing means of the stitching position, andthe other disc revolving at a different speed and its pins engaging saidfollower means thereof for actuating said changing means of thestitching width.

5. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 1, one of said discs beingassigned for the change of the stitching width, said coupling meansbeing in driving connection with said one disc, the other disc beingassigned for the change of the stitching position, said coupling meansincluding means for driving said second disc from said first disc.

6. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 5, said coupling means includingan axially shiftable revoluble shaft carrying said one disc, a key onsaid shaft, a gear on said shaft, said key being shiftable with saidshaft to a first position to engage said gear for tied rotation of saidgear and shaft and, respectively, to a second position of idling fordisengagement of said shaft from the gear,

said key being engageable with said gear only in a pre- 1 determinedposition ofsaidfihanginmmeansof.said discs,

relative to each other.

directions, a gear on said shaft andimmovable relative to the shiftingof, saidshaftand indrivemconnectiom with said power-drive, andakey,betweemsaid shaft and said gear rotatable andshiftablefwith,said'shaft, where-.

by said shaft may be shiftedior,coupling,with said. gear to turn saidshaft and said one disc, and a pinion mounted on said shaft beingimmovable relative to the shifting ofsaid shaft and being keyed theretoin all shifting pos1t1ons of saidshaft.

8, In an ornamental stitching mechanism for--usein connection with azig-Zag sewing machinehaving a body and a powerdrive and meansoperable,to change-the-pos1tion of the stitch and to change the width ofthe stitch, n combination, two rotatable control discs each including aplurality of pins parallel of the disc axis of rotation and shiftableaxially between active and inactive posltions, follower means disposedadjacent each disc in the paths of the pins thereof and operable to beengaged thereby, the first of said discs being in releasable drivenconnection with said power drive and cooperating with the follower meansthereof for actuating said changing means of the stitching position,said second disc cooperating with said follower means thereof foractuating said changing means of the stitching width, a supportjournalled about the axis of said first disc and tiltable about the sameand including means for actuating said changing means for the stitchposition, said second disc being journalled on said support and tiltabletherewith about the axis of rotation of said first disc, said followermeans for said second disc including abutment means connected to thebody of said sewing machine, whereby upon abutment of a pin of saidsecond disc with said abutment means, said support will be tilted andsaid extension will actuate said means for changing the stitch position.

9. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 8, said follower means for saidfirst disc including a two armed lever pivoted to said support, one armincluding a finger projecting into the paths of said pins of said firstdisc, the other arm being operable to actuate said means for changingthe width of the stitch.

10. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 9, together with, a lever pivotedto said support and being operable adjustably positionable forselectively limiting in one direction the movement of said two armedlever about its pivot axis.

11. A revoluble disc, for use in connection with an ornamental stitchingmechanism of a zig-zag sewing machine, in combination, a circular bodyhaving a plurality of holes parallel with the axis of rotation, a pinarranged in each hole parallel to said axis and being slidable thereinaxially between opposite active and inactive positions, a series ofopposite grooves formed in said body, each hole communicating with twoopposite grooves, each pin including a resilient tongue member forengaging one of said grooves, and having opposite to said tongue memberan extension member for engaging the opposite groove, said tongue andextension members being spaced from each other axially and so arrangedthat in any position of sliding of a pin relative to said body at leastone of said members will be in engagement with a groove to restrainrotation of the pin, and resilient means urging the pin into theinactive position wherein said tongue member engages its groove and saidextension member is out of its groove.

12. A disc as claimed in claim 11, together with, said tongues beingspaced from a face of said body and out of their grooves when said pinis in the active position into which it may be pressed manually againstthe power of said resilient means, and an apertured release disc ad '14iacent Said asez fi aidlbedv. a i parts p it o able etw ens idaceandthete sue of a pin in e. ti

position. thereof, and; being movable for simultaneously retractingsaidpartsfrom said spaces thereby releasing said tongues and enabling saidresilient means to move.

the pins from the-active to the inactive position.

13; In, an ornamentalstitching mechanism, for use in connection with, azig-zag sewing machine having a power drive. and,means operable tochange the p qsition of the stitch andto1change the width of the stitch,inmco nbination, a rotatable control disc, in releasa 21Y= drivenconnctioh with said power drive, said,control ;disc having an annulargroove formed of two groove sections adjacent each other in axialdirection, a ;plurality.,of pins connectedrto ,saidtdisc and eachbeing;,- shiftable relative thereto axially, between an x in: activeposition v wherein 1 the. pin, is clear of said groove and a firstactiveposition wherein the pin projects across the first section of the grooveand a second active position wherein the pin projects across bothsections of said groove, and follower means including a followerextending into each of said sections and each follower being operable tobe actuated by the pins extending across the groove section of saidfollower, one of said followers being operable upon pin engagement toactuate said means for changing the stitch position, and the otherfollower upon pin engagement to actuate the means for changing the widthof the stitch.

14. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 13, together with, a circularplate arranged on said disc, a holding plate arranged on said disc, saidplates having apertures for the passage of said pins, the apertures ofsaid holding plate having cut-outs, and a helical spring arranged ineach cut-out frictionally engaging a pin.

- 15. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 13, together with, a releasedisc having apertures for said pins and being shiftable axially of saidcontrol disc, a release rod disposed axially in said control disc andbeing shiftable axially in opposite directions, said release disc beingmounted on said release rod and shiftable therewith, and resilient meansoperable for urging said release rod into an extreme position whereinsaid release disc is positioned relative to the control disc in such amanner that the pins are unobstructed for movement from the inactiveposition to the active positions, and said release disc upon actuationof said release rod will engage all of the pins that have been pushed toan active position and move them to the inactive position.

16. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 13, together with, means forrotating the control disc from said power drive comprising acircumferential rack connected to said control disc, a reciprocablelatch operable to engage the latch of said rack, a carrier for saidlatch reciprocably movable and having a cam surface, a cam driven fromsaid power drive and engaging said cam surface imparting pulses to saidcarrier, resilient means for returning said carrier, and means operablefor selectively adjustably limiting the reciprocation stroke of saidcarrier.

17. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 13, together with, each followerincluding a connecting rod, one of said followers including means forconnecting the follower to said connecting rod comprising a pin movablebetween two opposite positions, the connecting rod having a slotengaging said pin in either position.

18. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 13, a com necting rod for eachfollower, a member adjacent each connecting rod and operable to beengaged thereby, one of said members operable to actuate said means tochange the position of the stitch and the other member operable toactuate the means to change the width of the stitch, each connecting rodbeing movable between an inactive position out of engagement with itsmember and an active position in engagement therewith, resilient meansurging said connecting rods towards said active position,

15 and releasably manually settable means operable to move eachconnecting rod to said inactive position.

19. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 13, together with, removablegauge means operable for simultaneously moving selected among said pinsfrom said inactive position to an active position.

20. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 19, said gauge being removablymounted on said release rod, and means between said control disc andsaid gauge for positioning said gauge relative to said release disc.

21. In an ornamental stitching mechanism, foruse in connection with azig-zag sewing machine having a power drive and means operable to changethe position of the stitch and to change the width of the stitch, thecombination of rotatable control means including a plurality of camelements, coupling means operable for releasably coupling said rotatablecontrol means with said power drive, said cam elements including aplurality of pins 16 parallel of the axis of rotation of said controlmeans, each pin being shiftable axially between an active positiondefined by a first set of planes and an inactive position defined by asecond set of planes axially offset from said first set of planes, andfollower means movable in a direction and an angle to said axis andhaving a member disposed in the path of said pins in the active positionthereof and operable to be engaged thereby for movement at an angle tothe longitudinal extension of said pins operable for actuating saidchanging means of a stitching position and of a stitching width.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS593,733 Colley Nov. 16, 1897 1,611,372 Rader Dec. 21, 1926 2,310,176Hale Feb. 2, 1943 2,484,331 Bels Oct. 11, 1949

